Resin Mask (not the way you're thinkng) Take two

[hopeless crafter]

Ok i am really new to this site, and i have already posted this but in the help area where others post about help with the site so here is take two...

Ok so I am not very good at crafts so that's why I came here.

So my question starts off as a story...

so I am trying to make a PHANTOM OF THE OPERA mask for Halloween, no keep in mind i dont want a crappy non realistic mask i could get in the kids area of any craft store, and the one i have doesnt fit my face, so i wanted one to fit my face and look like the ones on Broadway, at first i tried the traditional route of using plaster but im not getting the desired results, so the other day i was at Hobby Lobby, and im looking around and I see craft Resin, so that gets my mind working (which can be a bad thing at times) so i thought maybe I can use resin to make my mask.
I have NEVER worked with resin so basically what i am asking is is it possible to make a resin mask that fits my face, provided i make a mold. also other questions are what should i use for the mold, HOW DOES RESIN WORK? HOW TO USE IT, and is my idea even possible.
sincerely hopeless crafter Smiley

[Blacksmith]

I'm assuming that you tried to reinforce the plaster when you made your mold for your initial mask, if not try again Vaseline or some other type of body oil works well as a release for the casting. For reinforcing materials I suggest medical gauze, it's cheap and loose enough to help hold the plaster together. I'll be happy to offer up further advice depending on how you tried to do your previous casting.
I would avoid most plastic resins as they are kinda hard on skin, but once you have a positive bust of your face to work from? Go for it.

[hopeless crafter]

uhm not exactly when i say i used plaster i used it to mold directly to my face for an "instant" mask, however im not getting the desired result because when  i am sanding it its just tearing away layers rather than smoothing it and im using a really fine sandpaper.
my question with the resin is if i go to my local craft store and get basic craft resin what do i do with it in order to make a Phantom mask.

[hopeless crafter]

also i know not to use resin directly on the face big warning on the box

[Blacksmith]

Firstly, DON"T USE RESIN ON YOUR FACE!
Alright I think I see your issue here, you're going to need an accomplice for doing pretty much any good casting of your face. A lower temperature soft wax could work for doing your face, and is easier to clean up in the end. I've had some good results when casting other body parts (mainly hands and such take a look).

You really need a second person to make the casting work well, Hollywood uses an alginate read about the process here. If you have access to another person for this process I would suggest doing a wax or alginate casting of your face and reinforcing it with plaster and gauze. Then casting the plaster positive of your face to actually work on.

[hopeless crafter]

ok that makes sense, but is it possible to use wax and resin can you release the resin from the wax? and what type of wax cause i have some left over stuff from when i made candles (science project in hs) i have bees soy and paraffin, or do i need a different type of wax all together.

Also where can i find the alginate mentioned in the second link you sent me, and could i put the resin in that?

the reason im heading to the resin idea is mainly because A i want to try something new and B it will automatically be smooth that way i dont worry about tearing another mask up with the plaster idea.

Also here is a link to basically what i did with the plaster (its not me just what i used as a tutorial)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g_YCbwaE-E0  Part 1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=iv&v=1IoQbJZrdhE&src_vid=g_YCbwaE-E0&annotation_id=annotation_13115#t=22s  Part 2

[Blacksmith]

Use whatever wax you can stand being molten on your skin, it should release fine, if not toss it in the oven on low temp to melt out the remainder (just remember to place something under it to catch the wax that drips out). Alginate is kinda flexy, so it should let go of whatever you want it to, also consider concrete faces, they are weird, esp when used as stones leading to your front door.
Now for what I was thinking you were after was this.
Click the lifecasting link on the left hand side of that page, they sell kits too. Also I've found that burger king straws work really well for allowing you to breathe while the casting goes on.

Another step-by-step for face casting can be found here.
And here is the Alginate for sale alone

If you are in a major metro area see if there are any proper theatrical costume shops in town.